1. FORM [was/were + present participle]

2. Examples: • You were studying when she called. • Were you studying when she called? • You were not studying when she called.

3. Complete List of Past Continuous Forms USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.

4. Examples: • I was watching TV when she called. • When the phone rang, she was writing a letter. • While we were having the picnic, it started to rain. • What were you doing when the earthquake started? • I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm. • You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off. • While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car. • Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane. • While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off. • A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?

5. Se utiliza:  Con frecuencia, para describir el contexto en una historia escrita en pasado, e.g. "The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant came out of the jungle. The other animals were relaxing in the shade of the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly. She was looking for her baby, and she didn't notice the hunter who was watching her through his binoculars. When the shot rang out, she was running towards the river..."  para describir una acción incompleta que se vio interrumpida por otra acción o evento, e.g. "I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang."  para expresar un cambio de opinión: e.g. "I was going to spend the day at the beach but I've decided to get my homework done instead."  con 'wonder', para formular una petición muy educada: e.g. "I was wondering if you could baby-sit for me tonight."